From the Guidelines
Cap Benzpearl works to reduce dry cough primarily through its active ingredient benzonatate, which acts as a cough suppressant by affecting the cough center in the medulla oblongata of the brain and providing a local anesthetic effect on the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. According to the study by 1, benzonatate is a peripherally acting antitussive that has been shown to be effective in controlling cough in patients with malignant pulmonary involvement. The study found that benzonatate effectively controlled cough in 80% of 21 patients with malignant pulmonary involvement.
The exact mechanism of action of benzonatate is not fully understood, but it is thought to work by providing a local anesthetic effect on the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, which helps to reduce the sensitivity of the cough reflex 1. The typical dosage of benzonatate is 100-200 mg taken every 4-6 hours as needed, not exceeding 600 mg in 24 hours.
- Key points to consider when using Cap Benzpearl:
- It is particularly effective for non-productive coughs (dry coughs) where there's no mucus or phlegm to expel.
- Patients should take this medication with water and can take it with or without food.
- Side effects may include drowsiness, dizziness, or mild gastrointestinal disturbances.
- If the cough persists beyond 7 days, worsens, or is accompanied by fever, rash, or persistent headache, medical attention should be sought as these symptoms may indicate a more serious condition requiring different treatment.
- As noted in the study by 1, benzonatate is one of the options for treating cough in patients with lung cancer, and its use should be considered based on the individual patient's needs and medical history.
From the Research
Mechanism of Action of Cap Benzpearl
- Cap Benzpearl is likely to contain an antitussive agent, but the exact mechanism of action is not specified in the provided studies.
- However, based on the studies, it can be inferred that antitussive agents such as codeine and dextromethorphan work by suppressing the neural activity of cough [(2,3,4,5,6)].
- Codeine, a centrally acting narcotic opioid, is bioactivated by CYP2D6 into morphine in the liver, and its opioid effects are related to plasma morphine concentrations 3.
- Dextromethorphan, on the other hand, is a non-narcotic antitussive that has been shown to be effective in reducing cough frequency and intensity [(5,6)].
Antitussive Agents
- The most effective indirect antitussives are opioids such as morphine, codeine, or pholcodeine, but they produce side effects such as drowsiness, nausea, constipation, and physical dependence 2.
- Non-opioid antitussives such as dextromethorphan, nociceptin, neurokinin, and bradykinin receptor antagonists, cannabinoids, vanilloid receptor-1 antagonists, blockers of Na+-dependent channels, and large conductance Ca2+-dependent K+-channel activators of afferent nerves may represent novel antitussives 2.
- First-generation antihistamines like chlorpheniramine and centrally acting opioid derivatives like codeine are often used alone or in combination in the management of nonspecific cough 4.
Treatment of Dry Cough
- Treatment of dry cough remains a challenge in some patients, and symptomatic relief must be considered when the cough interferes with the patient's daily activities [(3,4)].
- Antitussive preparations, which are available as combinations of codeine or dextromethorphan with antihistamines, decongestants, and expectorants, are used for effective symptomatic relief of dry or non-productive cough 4.